organic farming

Are they? I often wonder about this, if one is not in sucklers are organic cattle easily bought, wouldn't see much in my local Mart

Not been on in a while but See link above * Have these animals access to pasture for minimum of 210 days (7months) in the last 12 months ⎕

You will not get paid if not able to make that declaration now as in everything in Organic you can just say they were but see down line with EID tags would be easy for that becoming checkable. With the housing space all the stuff is online essentially extra cubicle space but from what I can see cubicle specs given for new organic cubicle housing not workable for large suckler cows. Anyway that is what Ag advisors there for.

As it stands I'd say about half the male weanlings that are sold as organic are castrated.

Same. I suppose one would need to travel to specialist sales

The only regular monthly sale is Drumshambo

On your last point a few existing organic farmers said to me they feared they will have no choice but only be allowed sell at organic sales in future

As regards the 5 year organic scheme, what happens after the 5 years can you just pull out and go back to normal. If so how does it work for the 60% grant under TAMS when in organic, can someone join for scheme carry out work under TAMS get the 60% instead of 40% grant and then just finish in organics after the 5 years, would they be looking for money back? Seems a bit of a loophole if not

Once TAMS is granted at the 40% rate I doubt it would change. As far as I know one can pull out of organics at the end of each year if they don't want to renew their license.

Bulls have to be castrated before 12 months and as it currently stands if you need to squeeze a bull after 12 months it has to be done by the vet.

Can't remember if it has to be surgical but think so.

Relevant bit from Standards below "Note: The surgical castration of a bull over 6 months of age/dehorn livestock or administer hormonal treatment, will result in the loss of organic status for the individual livestock where these mutilations are carried out. Or similar action taken as per conventional veterinary treatment repercussions as stated in paragraph 3.12.13"

I give 5cc per ball at the top of scrotum each side. Think 2 cc enough but better safe than sorry. Wait 5 mins and then use burdizzo. Use a leg hoist or rope impossible to inject otherwise I found; also easier use burdizzo. Also the younger the better. I do in batches of 3 to 4.

inject just under the skin?

Are you on your own that you use leg hoist?

I use a snafflers on the nose.

Tie both legs forward to the skull gate so if they do kick their range of motion will at least be reduced.

And have a person hold the tail properly. With the tail held properly they rarely even move.

Yes.

But I think you will go back into conversion again but won’t get the “in conversion rate” for the land as that’s tied to land parcel and is only paid once.

Also if you got a tams grant during your organic status I think you are locked in for 5 years from the last payment.

Was discussed today on organic course.